The first gathering of a regional group of motorcycle riders since the Waco melee in which nine people were killed and 175 arrested in mid May is scheduled for Saturday in Harris County.

The Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents for Region 3, which includes Houston, plans to hold its regular monthly meeting at noon at the Hawg Stop on Sheldon Road, according to the group's online calendar.

"We are aware of that event, that they are going to have it," said Ryan Sullivan, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "We are determining the best course of action for contingencies and security."

"All of the district deputies will be fully aware the event is taking place," Sullivan said.

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Shortly before a similar type of meeting was scheduled to convene in Waco on May 17, a fight touched off that ended with nine people dead, 18 wounded and about 175 arrested on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity.

The region that meets Saturday does not include Waco, but does have members of the Bandidos, considered by law enforcement to be one of the largest and most powerful "outlaw motorcycle gangs" in the United States.

Members of the Bandidos were in Waco at the time of the clash, but the group has tried to stay out of the spotlight. The meeting is to be held in an area where the Bandidos have a particularly strong presence.

The group, which started in 1966 in the Houston region, did not join a "Freedom Ride" last Sunday to Waco in support of bikers jailed over the incident at a Twin Peaks restaurant.

This Saturday's meeting had previously been scheduled to held in La Marque, but was rescheduled for Harris County. The owners of the Hawg Stop, which caters to motorcycle riders, could not be reached for comment. Region 3 officials also did not respond to request for comment.

Kirk Jackson, chief of the La Marque Police Department, said the bikers decided to relocate the meeting at their own accord, and stressed that they were in no way asked by law enforcement to move to a new location.

"There was no pressure from law enforcement or government agencies not to have the event," Jackson said.

Meanwhile, a charity motorcycle run is scheduled to begin on Galveston Island and head through Brazoria County.